Photo By Senior Airman Harrison Sullivan | U.S. Air Force Col. Peter Joo, 47th Mission Support Group commander, presents the Meritorious Service certificate to Lt. Col. Nathan Thomsen, outgoing commander of the 47th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), during the 47th CES change of command ceremony at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, June 9, 2026. The Meritorious Service Medal is a military award given to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through exceptional meritorious achievement or service to the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Harrison Sullivan) see less
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The 47th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) bid farewell to Lt. Col. Nathan Thomsen, and welcomed Lt. Col. BenjaminJohnson,during a change of command ceremony here, June 9, 2026.
Col. Peter Joo, 47th Mission Support Group commander, presided over the ceremony, noting the pivotal role the 47th CES plays in providing mission support to 21 units and over 2,400personnel at Laughlin.
“CE is near and dear to my heart, and I’m familiar with what it takes for this squadron, the heavy lift on our roadrunners to operate, maintain, and protect this base every day, 24 hours a day,” said Joo. “Theres not much that goes on here at Laughlin that doesn’t involve CE in some shape or form,and many of the things this squadron does go unnoticed, until it’s no longer there.”
During his time at Laughlin Thomsen led over 276 engineers in providing critical mission assurance for2,400 Airmenand $2.5 Billion in assets. Additionally, he oversaw airfield sweeping, airfield rescue, and fire operations for the Vice President of the United States and Secretary of War’s first ever visit to Laughlin.
“With every new Airman that comes to the squadron I tried to explain our mission: Primarily to develop Airmen,” said Thomsen. “In CE, we make the mission possible at the U.S. Air Force’s number one pilot production base every day, with our firefighters on call 24/7 for inflight emergencies and others, and by constructing, sustaining and maintaining all the facilities, dorms, and housing that makeUPT possible.”
As the new commander of the 47th CES, Johnson oversees the cradle-to-grave planning, construction, maintenance and repair, protection, and operation of 808 facilities and infrastructure real property assets and four runways across 5,343 acres at four geographically separated locations valued at $2.1 billion.
“To my new team I look forward to working with you,” said Johnson. I look forward to getting to know all of you in these next two years.”
Prior to assuming command Johnson served as the analysis branch chief, directorate of plans, deputy chief of staff for plans and programs at the Headquarters of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
“Leading this XL engineer team has been the greatest of my career and there is no better job than being your commander,” said Thomsen.“Knowthat Becky and I will miss you all. God bless. Roadrunner 01 - out.”
